About AFM Co-op

Quick Link: Co-op Job Examples l Student Co-op Videos

Learn from experience!

Co-operative education is a system of education that integrates academic studies with practical work experience. Co-op students alternate terms of school and work in appropriate areas of business, industry or government. Work terms are usually four or eight months long and follow a specific sequence. When you're finished your degree, you'll have the same number of academic terms as a regular student, plus 16 months of work experience.

Learn more about co-op and how it works for our AFM students in the Business and Finance co-op work option and the Chartered Accountancy co-op work option.

Check out the Frequently Asked Questions from which the Co-operative Education & Career Services Department has prepared to better help students understand what co-op is all about.

• Complete 16 months of co-op over four work terms
• Apply for either the Chartered Accountancy (WPA) or Business and Finance (WFM) Co-op option.
• Choose the Chartered Accountancy Co-op option if you plan to become a Chartered Accountant (CA)
  • Co-op opportunities are in public accounting and other commercial industries, government agencies and not-for-profit sectors across Canada
  • CA co-op option work terms may count toward the CA's experience requirement
  • On work terms you could be evaluating and testing processes and related controls; assisting audit staff in tax provision work; preparing financial statements
• Choose the Business and Finance Co-op option if you aim to become a Certified Management Accountant (CMA), a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), a Chartered Accountant (CA), or enter directly into the workforce
  • Co-op opportunities are in financial services and other commercial industries, government agencies and not-for-profit sectors across Canada
  • Business and Finance co-op option work terms will provide experience in accounting, finance and business areas
  • On work terms you could be determining how to pay shareholders; learning about capital markets; developing and applying inventory models
• Build a résumé that reflects your future career interests in AFM's co-op sequences

AFM Co-op Earnings

For more information about average co-op earnings for various programs at uWaterloo, please see the Annual Salary Survey provided by Co-op Education and Career Services.

Quick Co-op Facts

• 96.5% to 100% co-op employement rate
• Earn $15 to $19/hr on your first work term on average
• Earn from $51,000 to $74,000 over your 4 work terms (16 months of co-op) on average
• Benefit from North America's most established co-op program
• More information on co-op salaries